The third volume in Vampi Soul's Cumbia Beat series is another schorching mix of chicha tracks, compiled from 45 rpm rarities by acclaimed groups and short-lived bands. Like Volume 1 and Volume 2, listening through this collection of tropical riddims will take you on a journey across the incredibly varied geography of Peru, as most of the groups compiled here had links to different regions of the country, though all the artists wound up recording in Lima. The majority of these bands emerged as a result of political/social change implemented by the nationalist military dictatorship installed at the time. As liner note author Hugo Levano G writes: Los Demonios Del Mantaro, Los Demonios De Corocochay, and Los 5 Palomillas are the exceptions to this, as they recorded between 1965 and 1967 and produced a hybrid of cumbia and huayno called huaycumbia, a genre which achieved high sales figures during those years. Despite the characteristics of huaycumbia, the early composers of Peruvian cumbia didn't consider it a direct source of inspiration. They admit to being more influenced by Colombian cumbia, Cuban guaracha, beat, and psychedelic music from the UK and US that they had played since the end of the '60s, in their 'own style', as a part of a musical appropriation process that quickly led them to forge a singular sound. Vampi Soul collects 21 tracks here for the third installment, each one brimming with the intoxicating concoction of Caribbean percussion, Andean pentatonics, synths, wah-wahs, fuzztones, and more that characterize this unique sound. Choice cuts recommended by Richie Cashmere include: "Lamento Del Condor" by Los Condores Del Cusco; "La Espumita Del Rio" by Los Casmenos; "Girasoleando" by Los Girasoles; "Chola Ingrata" by Los Ecos; "Si No Quieras Bailar Vuelve A Casa" by Los Scorpios; and the Nigerian hi-life sounding "Larga Espera" by Los Sander's De Nana. This Volume, along with Volume's 1 and 2, are not to be missed by anyone with any kind of rhythm in their bones. Recommended, released by Vampi Soul.

• 2LP with innersleeve liner notes
• music label: Vampi Soul 2019

reviewed by Richard Cashmere 4/2019